Position Summary
Michigan State University’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources invites applications and nominations for Chairperson of the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences (PSM). PSM is an interdisciplinary department including Agronomy/Crop Science, Microbial Science, Plant Breeding and Genetics, Plant Pathology, Soil Science, Turfgrass Science and Management, and Weed Science.
The Department provides a stimulating intellectual environment for engaged scholarship in promoting resilient agricultural systems. The successful candidate must demonstrate the ability to embody and convey the land-grant mission of teaching, research, extension, and outreach to multiple audiences; provide effective leadership and management of multidisciplinary programs; be a strong advocate for the Department; and provide leadership for the continuing development of outstanding regional, national, and international programs. The full time, 12-month appointment position is available beginning July 1, 2025.
Specific Responsibilities:
The Chairperson provides facilitative leadership of the Department in teaching, research, extension, and outreach programs and is expected to maintain and enhance a creative and productive environment for faculty, staff, and students. The Chairperson serves as the principal representative of the Department with authority and responsibility for administrative decisions. The Chairperson reports directly to the Dean of the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources and interacts with senior leadership of the College, MSU Extension, and MSU AgBioResearch on a regular basis.
This is an administrative leadership position. Key responsibilities of the Chairperson include:
● Provide visionary leadership for creating, advancing, and articulating the mission of the Department and the land-grant mission, promoting national and international prominence.
● Encourage balanced and integrated teaching, research, extension, and outreach programs that impact Michigan, the U.S. and international constituents.
● Work with ~70 faculty members to identify existing and emerging opportunities and develop strategic short- and long-range plans for departmental enhancement.
● Recruit outstanding faculty and staff, assign responsibilities, evaluate performance, and promote faculty, student, and staff development.
● Support faculty and student achievement; foster a culture of inclusion, collaboration, creativity and mentorship; and create a departmental community wherein diverse faculty, staff, and students thrive.
● Serve as a member of the Institute of Agricultural Technology Directorate.
● Manage and administer Department budgets and provide oversight in the procurement of financial and other resources; assure fiscally responsible implementation.
● Adhere to all MSU policies in research, education, extension, outreach, financial, and personnel administration.
● Work cooperatively within the Departmental governance structure, including Associate Chairs, a Department Teaching Coordinator, Graduate Programs Directors for Crop and Soil Sciences and Plant Pathology, an Extension Project Leader, and an elected Department Advisory Committee.
● Serve as liaison and advocate for the Department within the larger governance structure of the College and University.
● Communicate and foster relationships with clientele, including Departmental alumni, governmental leaders, MSU administrators, other campus units, private sector stakeholders, and professional and disciplinary groups.
● Represent the Department to state and federal agencies, private organizations, partners and collaborators, and key industry groups.
● Advance funds development at the Department, College, and University levels.
Michigan State University (MSU) is one of the top research universities in the world and home to nationally ranked and recognized academic, residential college, and service-learning programs. MSU is a diverse community of dedicated students and scholars, athletes and artists, and scientists that provide regional, national, and international leadership in basic and applied research and excellence in teaching. In addition, consistent with its Land Grant origins, the MSU community pursues international engagement and provides strong extension programs that partner with diverse stakeholders to provide much needed research in the areas of food, energy, water and the environment.
MSU enjoys a park-like campus with outlying research facilities and natural areas. The campus is in East Lansing, adjacent to the state capital city of Lansing. The Lansing metropolitan area has a diverse population of approximately 450,000. Local communities have excellent school systems and place a high value on education. The University is proactive about its obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and provides individual accessibility plans to students and employees with disabilities. Michigan State University is also proactive in exploring opportunities for employment for dual career families, both inside and outside the University, and respects all family forms. Information about MSU’s dual career support and other types of support for balancing work and personal lives at MSU can be found at http://worklife.msu.edu .
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
In MSU’s College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, we do not just accept difference; we celebrate, support, and thrive on it for the benefit of our faculty, staff, students, and community. The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship, age, disability or protected veteran status.
Required Degree
Doctorate -Plant, soil, and microbial sciences or related discipline
Minimum Requirements
The Department is seeking an individual with an outstanding record of achievement including leadership, team building, distinguished scholarship, and dedication to the land grant mission. The applicant should have an appreciation for the range of disciplines related to plant, soil, and microbial sciences and the diverse functions of teaching, research, extension, and outreach, and must exhibit preparedness for administration of a large, diverse department. The successful candidate must possess outstanding leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, along with the ability to promote the Department and increase its national and international prominence. Qualified candidates must have a doctorate in a related discipline and meet the requirements for tenure at the rank of full Professor in the Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences.
Required Application Materials
1) a curriculum vitae (CV)
2) a cover letter describing your interest in the position with an emphasis on your experience and philosophical approaches. At the end of the cover letter, please also submit names and contact information for four academic references external to MSU familiar with your work. Letters from these academic references will only be required for finalists.
3) a statement on how you as Department Chairperson would go about achieving a community culture that recognizes and celebrates the importance of diversity and inclusion.
4) submit names and contact information for four administrative references who are familiar with your leadership skills. Letters from these administrative references are unlikely to be required. Your academic and administrative references may be contacted by the search committee at any time after you apply.
Special Instructions
Salary will be commensurate with qualifications. MSU offers a generous benefits package.
Review of the applications will begin November 1, 2024, and the search will remain open until the position is filled.
For more information on this position, please contact the search committee co-chairs:
Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences
Michigan State University
466 Plant and Soil Sciences Building
Chair and Professor of Agricultural, Food, and Resource Economics
Michigan State University
Morrill Hall of Agriculture
Review of Applications Begins On
11/01/2024
Website
https://www.canr.msu.edu/psm/
Department Statement
The Department of Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences at MSU (www.canr.msu.edu/psm/) is a leader in basic and applied plant, soil and microbial sciences research with ~70 faculty members. The Department receives funds from AgBioResearch and MSU Extension in addition to state allocation, tuition, endowment, and grant sources. The Department provides leadership and delivers research and extension programs that are internationally recognized and respected, with impact at local, national, and international levels. The Department is highly networked with related academic units at MSU, including joint appointments within and outside the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. The Department works closely with and is supported by diverse external stakeholders.
The Department offers PhD and MS degrees in Crop and Soil Sciences, Plant Pathology, and Plant Breeding, Genetics, and Biotechnology, with approximately 118 graduate students. PSM Graduate students can also pursue dual degrees in Environmental and Integrative Toxicological Sciences (EITS), Environmental Science and Policy Program (ESPP), Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior (EEB), Molecular Plant Sciences (MPS) or Genetics and Genome Sciences (GGS). The Department administers an online MS degree in Global Plant Breeding. The Department’s Bachelor of Science degree in Crop and Soil Sciences currently offers three academic concentrations: 1) Advanced Studies (for those planning graduate research); 2) Agronomic Sciences; and 3) Turfgrass Management. About 111 students are enrolled in the major. The Department also offers two-year certificate programs through the Institute of Agricultural Technology in agricultural industries, golf turf management, and sports and commercial turf management with approximately 69 students. In undergraduate and graduate programs, the Department embraces domestic and international applications, engagement, and opportunities. Our undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs include research opportunities, professional organizations, internships, and high impact experiential learning activities that prepare students for careers in academia, industry and government.
MSU Statement
Michigan State University has been advancing the common good with uncommon will for more than 160 years. One of the top research universities in the world, MSU pushes the boundaries of discovery and forges enduring partnerships to solve the most pressing global challenges while providing life-changing opportunities to a diverse and inclusive academic community through more than 200 programs of study in 17 degree-granting colleges.
